“Two Areas, Two IPs” Shine Together! 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival Draws 3.6 Million Visits in First Six Days: Lantern Festival, WBC, and White Day Events to Take the SpotlightPost date：2026-03-10
Updates：2026-04-27
Press bureau：Department of Information and Tourism
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Taipei's most iconic annual celebration, the 2026 Taipei Lantern Festival, is in full swing. The Department of Information and Tourism (DOIT) announced that this year marks the first adoption of a ''Two Areas, Two IPs'' curatorial model, featuring both the Ximen Area and the Taipei Expo Park Area. Since its opening, the festival has attracted large crowds of visitors. The first weekend coincided with the 228 Peace Memorial Day long weekend, drawing families and groups of friends alike. From the festival’s opening on February 25 through March 2, the two areas welcomed a combined total of more than 3.6 million visits over six days.
This year's featured handheld lantern, the ''Optimus Prime Mini Lantern,'' was distributed simultaneously at 3:00 PM on March 1 at both the Ximen Area and Taipei Expo Park Area. Large crowds gathered at the distribution sites, with children bringing their Transformers figures while lining up. Many three generation families came together to participate. Visitors happily posed for photos with their Optimus Prime lanterns alongside the festival installations.
One grandmother, who was first in line, shared that this year's Taipei Lantern Festival has gained attention even in the United States. Her grandchildren living abroad had specifically called to remind her not to miss the opportunity to collect the lantern. In addition, all 12 administrative districts of Taipei simultaneously distributed the Optimus Prime Mini Lantern, attracting enthusiastic crowds who queued early. Each day's supply was typically fully distributed within about one hour, creating a lively atmosphere. Many children eagerly assembled their lanterns on the spot and excitedly carried them around the exhibition areas.
As today marks the Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival), DOIT has specially organized the ''Spin the Wheel Lantern Riddle Challenge—: Good Luck at Full Speed'' event, allowing visitors to experience the festive traditions of the Lunar New Year season.
To rally support for Team Taiwan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the Taipei Lantern Festival will host a cheering message wall from March 5 to March 8 at the ''Swing for Dreams Classic Bravo'' lantern installation in the Ximen Area (near No. 53, Section 1, Zhonghua Road, in front of the Taipei Chinese Orchestra). Visitors are invited to leave messages of encouragement and send their passionate support to Team Taiwan and the world.
Meanwhile, the Taipei Expo Park Area will also feature a WBC Team Taiwan support lucky draw. Starting at 6:00 PM on March 6 at the outdoor live game broadcast venue at the Taipei Performing Arts Center, visitors may collect a Taipei Lantern Festival raffle ticket at the service counter (limited quantities available). Those who visit the Taipei Expo Park Area to enjoy the lantern displays before March 8 may present the ticket at the service desk to enter the draw, with prizes including an iPhone 17 and a luxury guest room voucher at Regent Taipei, among other exciting prizes.
Looking ahead to the White Day weekend, DOIT has prepared the ''Sweet Photo Moments × Ferrero Rocher Bouquet Giveaway'' event from March 13 to March 15, running nightly from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The event locations include the booth next to the Transformers main lantern in the Taipei Expo Park Area and the booth beside Service Counter No. 1 in the Ximen Area (near the rear of MRT Ximen Station Exit 6).
During the event, visitors who upload a photo of themselves taken with a lantern installation can receive one complimentary festival-exclusive printed photo (limited to one per person).
In addition, participants who upload their printed photo to social media with the hashtags #TaipeiLanternFestival and #HappyValentinesDay may receive a Ferrero Rocher bouquet (one per person, while supplies last). The public is warmly invited to create and preserve their own sweet memories amid the dazzling sea of lanterns at the Taipei Lantern Festival.
This year's featured handheld lantern, the ''Optimus Prime Mini Lantern,'' was distributed simultaneously at 3:00 PM on March 1 at both the Ximen Area and Taipei Expo Park Area. Large crowds gathered at the distribution sites, with children bringing their Transformers figures while lining up. Many three generation families came together to participate. Visitors happily posed for photos with their Optimus Prime lanterns alongside the festival installations.
One grandmother, who was first in line, shared that this year's Taipei Lantern Festival has gained attention even in the United States. Her grandchildren living abroad had specifically called to remind her not to miss the opportunity to collect the lantern. In addition, all 12 administrative districts of Taipei simultaneously distributed the Optimus Prime Mini Lantern, attracting enthusiastic crowds who queued early. Each day's supply was typically fully distributed within about one hour, creating a lively atmosphere. Many children eagerly assembled their lanterns on the spot and excitedly carried them around the exhibition areas.
As today marks the Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival), DOIT has specially organized the ''Spin the Wheel Lantern Riddle Challenge—: Good Luck at Full Speed'' event, allowing visitors to experience the festive traditions of the Lunar New Year season.
To rally support for Team Taiwan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the Taipei Lantern Festival will host a cheering message wall from March 5 to March 8 at the ''Swing for Dreams Classic Bravo'' lantern installation in the Ximen Area (near No. 53, Section 1, Zhonghua Road, in front of the Taipei Chinese Orchestra). Visitors are invited to leave messages of encouragement and send their passionate support to Team Taiwan and the world.
Meanwhile, the Taipei Expo Park Area will also feature a WBC Team Taiwan support lucky draw. Starting at 6:00 PM on March 6 at the outdoor live game broadcast venue at the Taipei Performing Arts Center, visitors may collect a Taipei Lantern Festival raffle ticket at the service counter (limited quantities available). Those who visit the Taipei Expo Park Area to enjoy the lantern displays before March 8 may present the ticket at the service desk to enter the draw, with prizes including an iPhone 17 and a luxury guest room voucher at Regent Taipei, among other exciting prizes.
Looking ahead to the White Day weekend, DOIT has prepared the ''Sweet Photo Moments × Ferrero Rocher Bouquet Giveaway'' event from March 13 to March 15, running nightly from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The event locations include the booth next to the Transformers main lantern in the Taipei Expo Park Area and the booth beside Service Counter No. 1 in the Ximen Area (near the rear of MRT Ximen Station Exit 6).
During the event, visitors who upload a photo of themselves taken with a lantern installation can receive one complimentary festival-exclusive printed photo (limited to one per person).
In addition, participants who upload their printed photo to social media with the hashtags #TaipeiLanternFestival and #HappyValentinesDay may receive a Ferrero Rocher bouquet (one per person, while supplies last). The public is warmly invited to create and preserve their own sweet memories amid the dazzling sea of lanterns at the Taipei Lantern Festival.
